‘Second-year’ receivers ahead of DeAndre Hopkins for now

DeAndre Hopkins has been thrown right in with the starters during organized team activities.

That’s a logical response to drafting a first-round receiver who you want to bring up to speed as quickly as possible. But right now Hopkins does have some learning to do — the kind guys like Keshawn Martin and Lestar Jean did last year.

“The (second-year guys) have come a long way from last year, and now DeAndre’s got to go through the same learning process,” Texans receivers coach Larry Kirksey said. “He’s a talented young man, and we have very high expectations for him.

“But these second-year guys are ahead of him right now. They’re competing; they’re not just going to let him have the job.”

Kirksey’s quote comes from my story that ran today on HoustonChronicle.com. Jean isn’t technically a second-year guy, but in all practicality he is since he spent his rookie season on IR.

Jean and Martin are both players Gary Kubiak has spoken highly off this offseason, and they’re both handling their awkward position well. It’ll be interesting to see how DeVier Posey’s recovery impacts the Texans’ roster decisions.

Last season they kept six receivers because the sixth was Trindon Holliday, who they hoped could be their ace returner. The other five were Andre Johnson, Kevin Walter, Jean, Martin and Posey. Typically, though, the Texans keep five receivers, and they eventually cut Holliday.

This season subtract Walter, who was cut this offseason, and add draft picks Hopkins and Alan Bonner, Jeff Maehl, who spent last season on the practice squad, and four undrafted rookies who will be vying for roster or practice squad spots.

The speed of Posey’s recovery will impact whether he starts the season on the active roster or on PUP.